The British Council faces potential closure in up to 60 countries due to recent funding cuts mandated by the British government. With the aid budget slashed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the council is tasked with developing spending plans that outline scenarios for maintaining or reducing its funding. This predicament threatens to diminish the UK's soft power at a time when rival nations are bolstering their international presence. The chief executive has expressed concerns about the long-term viability of the council amid these financial pressures, highlighting the essential role of soft power in global diplomacy.
The plans are likely to add to warnings that the government's cuts to overseas aid are at risk of damaging its soft power just as Russia and China are putting more resources into strengthening theirs.
Investment in soft power is imperative to any nation that wishes to be instrumental on the world stage. Over the last three years we have taken 180m of costs out of the organisation through a substantial transformation plan.
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